Police have arrested a man in the robbery of a Sparta gas station Monday night.

Sparta Police Chief Andrew Milanowski said that a white male entered the AGO gas station at 560 E. Division Street, in the Village Sparta about 8:40 p.m. Monday evening, June 9, and got a beverage out of the cooler. He brought it to the counter and paid for it, and when the clerk opened the cash drawer, he pulled out a knife and demanded the money. He then reached across the counter and took all the money out of the drawer.

Upon leaving the store, the suspect ran into another patron entering the store. The witness observed him run west across the parking lot and enter a dark colored mini-van. The suspect then fled westbound on E. Division (13 Mile Rd).

Chief Milanowski said that several minutes later Deputy Matt Batchelder saw a dark mini-van southbound on M37 near 10 Mile Road, which appeared to be occupied by one white male fitting the description. He followed the van until backup deputies arrived and a stop was made. During the investigation, evidence of the crime was located and the subject was arrested and lodged at the Kent County Jail.

A warrant was obtained for the suspect for armed robbery, possession of cocaine and habitual offender.

He was due to be arraigned Tuesday, but the name of the suspect had not yet been released at press time.